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Q94 (IAS/2012) History & Culture › Medieval India › Medieval religious movements Answer Verified

With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices? 1. Meditation and control of breath 2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place 3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: D
Explanation

Sufi mystics in medieval India practiced a variety of spiritual disciplines to achieve communion with God. Firstly, they employed meditation (muraqabah) and breath control, often influenced by local yogic traditions, to focus their attention solely on the Divine [5]. Secondly, Sufis engaged in severe ascetic exercises (zuhd) and self-denial, frequently retreating to lonely places or individual cells to foster spiritual growth undisturbed [6]. Thirdly, the practice of 'sama' or 'audition' involved the recitation of holy songs and mystical music, such as qawwali, to arouse a state of spiritual ecstasy (wajad) in the audience [2]. These practices, including dhikr (remembrance of God), were central to orders like the Chishtis, who integrated indigenous devotional modes into their mystical framework to promote the purification of the inner self [3].

Sources

  1. [5] https://undergraduatescr.lagosstate.gov.ng/browse/6k49Tl/9OK169/SufismApWorldHistory.pdf
  2. [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > 13.3 Impact of Sufism > p. 192
  3. [6] https://ia600903.us.archive.org/8/items/byDrFaridaKhanam/Sufism-An-Introduction.pdf
  4. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > The pilgrimage of the Mughal princess Jahanara, 1643 > p. 157
  5. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > Amir Khusrau and the qaul > p. 158
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2002 · Q30 Relevance score: 0.45

With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. Shaikh Ahmad Sarhandi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi 2. Shiakh Nasiruddin Chirag-i-Dehlavi was a disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya 3. Aurangzeb was contemporary of Shaikh Salim Chisti 4. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Shaikh Niamtullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani Which of these statements are correct?

CAPF · 2011 · Q106 Relevance score: -0.17

Which of the following statements about Sufism is/are correct ? 1. Sufism was the mystical interpretation that developed within Islam. 2. Sufi philosophy highlighted the atmosphere of religious tolcrance by speaking about the universal love in quest of the Almighty. 3. The Sufis developed a very complex philosophy and initiated very complicated practices unintelligible to the masses. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

IAS · 2017 · Q53 Relevance score: -0.95

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism. 2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

NDA-I · 2016 · Q93 Relevance score: -2.35

Consider the following statements about Sufism in India 1. Pilgrimage called ziyarat to tombs of Sufi saints is an important feature. 2. The most influential group of Sufis in India were the Chishtis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?